Congratulations on your new camera and thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. Since you were asking for ideal settings of the camera I could sent you to one of our forums here in Germany where they do an excellent job on the matter. However, there might be a bit of a language problem unless you happen to be able to read my native language, I am afraid. But I will attach the link for one of the forum here anyway http://www.dslr-forum.de/showthread.php?t=666875

Sadly my TZ10 just died a few days ago and to keep yours in good working condition I may recommend getting the Panasonic Marine Case for it even when you are using it on land. Otherwise you are maybe likely to be in my situation as I described in my thread http://forums.steves-digicams.com/panasonic-leica/190536-panasonic-tz10-zs-7-warranty-issues.html.. However, since you are living in Australia, you might be able to cope better with "bad enviromental conditions" which caused mine to die instantly.

Congratulations on your new camera and thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. Since you were asking for ideal settings of the camera I could sent you to one of our forums here in Germany where they do an excellent job on the matter. However, there might be a bit of a language problem unless you happen to be able to read my native language, I am afraid. But I will attach the link for one of the forum here anyway http://www.dslr-forum.de/showthread.php?t=666875

Thanks for that link Frank! Thank god for Google translate lol. Can read the thread perfectly. Certainly a wealth of info in there!

Display the "INITIAL SETTINGS" menu:
Note: If the unit is other than PROGRAM AE mode, it does not display the initial settings menu.
While keep pressing MENU/SET and "RIGHT of Cursor button" simultaneously, turn the Power off. The "INITIAL SETTINGS" menu is displayed.

Set the model suffix at "INITIAL SETTINGS":
Press the "RIGHT of Cursor buttons".
The only set area is displayed. Press the "RIGHT of Cursor buttons" after confirmation.
(The unit is powered off automatically.)

CONFIRMATION:
Confirm the display of "PLEASE SET THE CLOCK" in concerned language when the unit is turned on again. When the unit is connected to PC with USB cable, it is detected as removable media.